“Tis the season to be very, very careful. As we’re heading out to shop on Black Friday, or any day, just remember. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Carrie Rocha, the author of Pocket Your Dollars: 5 Attitude Changes that Will Help You Pay Down Debt, Avoid Financial Stress, and Keep More of What You Make took a few minutes to chat with me in Kelly’s Kitchen about couponing and some of the inherent dangers of the internet. It’s tough to save a buck on that beautiful holiday dinner, and we’re all looking for good deals. But if you surf the net looking for deals and find coupons that give you insane discounts, you need to know what to look for and how to spot coupons that are frauds. I’ve come close to being a virus victim with an internet coupon, and as Carrie told me there are ways to spot those. And don't overspend; Carrie's been there, and managed to pay off $60,000 in debt in just two years. Hear the full interview with Carrie and look for her book after the New Year. Good resolution keeper!

  Our Dixie Crystals Cookie Contest is at an end! Thank you to everyone who sent in their favorite cookie recipe cookie recipe using Dixie Crystals Sugar for the chance to win a family four-pack of great seats to enjoy the 20^th Anniversary production of the Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker December 28^th or 29^th at the Mahaffey Theater in St Petersburg. We'll now randomly choose three finalists who will come to the Florida Central Credit Union Performance Theater here at our studios on Tuesday, December 4^th at 2:30 pm with their recipe and cookies for a taste test in Kelly’s Kitchen with our panel of cookie testers; Janet Keeler, St Pete Times Lifestyle Editor and author of "Cookielicious," and Jessica Beebe, owner of Sugardarlings Cones ‘n Cupcakes. The cookie that receives the most votes will receive the Great Russian Nutcracker tickets. Each of our three finalists will also receive a special gift basket from Kelly’s Kitchen with Janet Keeler’s book, a special treat from Sugardarlings along with a special selection from Kelly’s Kitchen. Working on new cookies yourself this weekend?  If you find yourself in need of inspiration, please join the Dixie Crystals Community! 

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM KELLY’S KITCHEN

If you go to Bed, Bath and Beyond without a coupon, people will wonder if you’re okay – John Pinette